Authorities say suspect among 5 dead in Kentucky shooting spree

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. – Authorities in eastern Kentucky are characterizing the shooting deaths of five people over the weekend as a murder-suicide involving multiple family members.

Johnson County Sheriff Dwayne Price said authorities in the eastern Kentucky community of Paintsville received a 911 call Saturday afternoon about a shooting at a residence.

Two victims were found dead in the kitchen. Price said after a tip on the whereabouts of a suspect’s vehicle, three more bodies, including that of the presumed shooter, were later found at an apartment complex.

Price identified the shooter as Joseph Nickell.